cyanobacteria sucks

I have delt with this pest in the past and have found that it will usually go away after a couple of water changes and a general improvement of tank conditions.

I am curious what others experiences have been and how you have cleared it out of your tanks. I have a few patches going in my 95g which I am sure are a result of stopping the carbon dosing, not running GFO, and the die off of some of my SPS allowing the nutrient levels to rise.

I have seen a trend lately in that more people are using chemicals to rid cyano and other algae from the tank, where in the past it wasn't in favor. I am just curious what everyones opinions are on this topic.

I say no to chemicals, always sketchy with them.

I just siphon it out and then increase the flow in the area. Works like a charm.

I've tried the chemicals (chemiclean) and it does work but it seems to take a toll on the tank. If I get any in the tank I'll do a water change a siphon it out as well, seems to work pretty good.

Also during usage it says to shut down the skimmer and then do a water change after treatment. My skimmer will go nuts for days after that even after a large water change.

I wouldn't use chemicals. Cyano killing compounds also kill a lot of the other good bacteria which upsets your tank. I think you diagnosed your own problem, but for now, manual removal is probably the best bet.

exactly, chemiclean is a bactericide that kills the good with the bad, as well as really only being a band aid fix.

IMO there are three main contributing factors to cyano outbreaks and each is actually quite easy to deal with.

1. PO4 - cyano ( and other problem algae ) need PO4 to thrive, running a remover will help but finding the true source is the long term answer.
2. CO2 - cyano thrives in areas of high CO2. by increasing flow to these areas you bring oxygenated water that hinders growth.
3. lighting - make sure to change out your bulbs at regular intervals. this holds true for cyano or any other nuisance algae.

to successfully battle cyano, syphon out as much as you can, increase flow to the problem area, remove all sources of PO4 and make sure your bulbs are not past due.

HTH

Originally Posted by spinycheek

I wouldn't use chemicals. Cyano killing compounds also kill a lot of the other good bacteria which upsets your tank. I think you diagnosed your own problem, but for now, manual removal is probably the best bet.

I agree with spiny. Using chems is a band aid. The cyano is feeding off of something so to get rid of it the right way you need to get rid of the food source.

What i like to do is use the cyano as a nutrient export method. Let it grow for a bit and then siphon it and the nutrients its acquired out of the tank. This is just like what you would do with a refugium

Totaly agree with Spiny and Chris, Flow to the area and removal are the best way to rid them.

I've done the chemi clean before and the tank bounced back very quickly and nicely, BUT it is only a band aid. I can see a few strands of it poking its head up again in my tank now as I was out for a week and not dosing vsv (same situation as you). Now that I've been dosing vsv I really don't want want to do the chem route as I think I have a good population of bacteria in the tank.

Time to automate the vsv and try little tweaks on the flow until it all fades away!

Thanks for the replies everyone. It is good to have my opinion validated and I will proceed as planned. I am a little down with this tank right now after the loss of a few sps colonies and I need to whip back into shape.

good to hear 'ya got the spirit back Ellen! Go for it! ....and post the pics along the way

I wouldnt be too down with the tank. It looked great when we saw it the other day and the few tiny spots of cyano you had are almost unnoticeable.

Originally Posted by chris&barb

I wouldnt be too down with the tank. It looked great when we saw it the other day and the few tiny spots of cyano you had are almost unnoticeable.

Thanks Chris. It was good to get someone elses opinion. You know we always seem to judge our own tanks to a higher standard. At least it seems I do for some reason.

Ellen your tank rocks. Haven't seen the new 45 yet in person, but I'm sure that is rocking as well. You should be very proud

so ellen....why don't you post some cool pics of those cute little gobies??? start a new fish thread ....you should also post some pics in the sps forum of your gorgeous sunset and that bright orange beauty at the top of your tank???!!!

Originally Posted by Barbara

so ellen....why don't you post some cool pics of those cute little gobies??? start a new fish thread ....you should also post some pics in the sps forum of your gorgeous sunset and that bright orange beauty at the top of your tank???!!!

Thanks you guys. I will do that Barb as soon I get a chance to upload my pics.

Toughest critic is always the tank owner

Originally Posted by Reefdaddy

Toughest critic is always the tank owner

So true Reefdday

Ohhhh i agree with the other guys i just syphon it out.

If your using ASW, mix up enough to do a minimum water change of at least 30%, natural is easier. Turn your light's off for 3 day's and let your skimmer go for it. On the 4th day, do a water change and then turn your lights back on. This will help get the nutrient levels down, and break it's back.

You'll still need to find the reason for the nutrient build up in the first place, whether it be flow or overfeeding. Light's need to be of good quality, but don't be fooled, cyano is photosynthetic. I've seen cyano in a dam that was almost dry, and copping sun all day, and it wasn't untill it rained for a few day's that it thinned out.

I forgot too, I found that dosing vodka feed the cyano in my system, so I don't dose it anymore. Having said that, I do use kalk with vinegar in it, so I think I might have over done it

that's very interesting blackjack and makes a lot of sense...did you do this with your tank? how negatively impacted were the corals and/or fish with no lights for a few days? what about clams? guess you'd need to move them out to light?